Transfer case lubrication system with disengagable pump

摘要

A lubrication system (300) for a transfer case (200) includes a shaft (302) having a lubricant inlet port (306) and a hollow bore (304) for transporting lubricant within the shaft (302), a pump (310) having a pump housing (312) and one or more pumping elements (318) that are disposed in the pump housing (312), and a clutch assembly (330). The clutch assembly 330 has an engaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318) to cause operation of the pump (310), and a disengaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is not transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318). An actuator (370, 410) is operable to cause the clutch assembly (330) to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

主权项

1. A lubrication system (300) for a transfer case (120, 200), comprising:
a shaft (302) having a lubricant inlet port (306) and a hollow bore (304) for transporting lubricant within the shaft (302); a pump (310) having a pump housing (312) and one or more pumping elements (318) that are disposed in the pump housing (312); a clutch assembly (330) having an engaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318) to cause operation of the pump (310), and a disengaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is not transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318); a biasing element (360) that is operable to apply a spring force to the clutch assembly (330); and an actuator (370, 410) that is operable to apply a force to the clutch assembly (330) in opposition to the spring force applied by the biasing element (360), wherein the biasing element (360) and the actuator (370, 410) cooperate to cause the clutch assembly (330) to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position.